TGS 1999: New Ridge Racer - First Impressions

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Namco boasts "New Ridge Racer," the latest in its champion series for PlayStation 2.

By Douglass C. Perry

Now what would PlayStation 2 be without two of Namco's best titles: two games that just happened to have launched the old PlayStation into the early years of its stardom. Just as predicted, Namco debuted the first movies and in-game footage of its newest evolution in the Ridge Racer series, while Tekken Tag Tournament clogged Sony's booth with anxious, button-happy fighting fans. Temporarily titled "New Ridge Racer," Namco's game went public on the company's large-screen to a constantly flowing group of slack-jawed, red-eyed game heads at the Tokyo Game Show today.

Introducing the new game was Namco's now classic title, Ridge Racer, which helped to show the series' history. In fact, the PS2 demo movie was preceded by each game in the Ridge Racer series: Ridge Racer, Ridge Racer Revolution, Rage Racer, and Ridge Racer Type 4. Each game showed its graphic leap as a demonstration of the evolution in the series, creating a seamless thread linking the old to the new, but also proving that this newest creation definitely outclasses all of its old companions.

The first real recognizable aspect of the new footage is, not surprisingly, Reiko, the "flag girl" who appears looking as lean and as... wholesome as ever. Seconds after she vanishes from sight, four cars power through Namco's perfectly quiet city streets, each looking like the pre-rendered movies on R4. The displayed cuts portrayed two major aspects that'll be extremely strong in this new game; first, the graphics and second, the speed. The collage of footage blended in pre-rendered footage with real gameplay, and the difference was practically indistinguishable. The cars moved at incredible speeds without a single hitch in frame rates, pop in, or random glitches. The non-licensed cars also looked wonderfully streamline and aerodynamic, boasting ultra-modern designs, while retaining the vintage Ridge Racer style.

Just as in the past, four cars raced simultaneously. Cars were able to jump from the proper hills and drop-offs, producing a rather flamboyant amount of sparks and fire. The waning moments of the clip showed cars battling head-to-head through tunnels and along winding streets, and the "player" switching from a behind-the-car perspective to a driver's seat perspective and attaining seemingly ridiculous speeds.

Namco officials explained that this "New Ridge Racer" would indeed come to PlayStation, just as Sony had announced this previous Monday, but that it would not be part of the launch lineup. Namco officially stated that the PlayStation 2 game is scheduled for a mid to late 2000 release. In other words, within months of the PlayStation 2 launch. (I.E.: "before Christmas" for you thick ones out there.)

We'll keep you posted with more information and media in the next few days.